What is the impact of DITA on the efficiency of visual content localization for global IT audiences?

November 10, 2023
|By Bryan Tipper

DITA significantly impacts the efficiency of visual content localization for global IT audiences. Localization is the process of adapting content to suit different languages, cultures, and regions. DITA’s modular and structured approach to content creation greatly streamlines this process, benefiting both IT organizations and their global users.

Modular Content Reuse

One of the key advantages of DITA is its support for modular content. DITA topics are self-contained units, and this modularity allows for easy content reuse. When content needs to be localized, only specific topics or elements, such as text blocks, need to be translated. This targeted localization reduces time and costs associated with translation, ensuring efficient updates for global audiences. For example, you can reuse a DITA topic explaining a specific IT concept across various documents or languages.

Content Variants and Conditional Processing

DITA also enables content variants and conditional processing. With this feature, you can create variations of content for different regions or languages. You can use conditional attributes to mark content that should be displayed based on conditions like the user’s location or language preference. This ensures that users receive content that is relevant to their specific needs, enhancing their experience and understanding. For example, you can conditionally include instructions for Windows and macOS users in the same document, ensuring clarity for different audiences.

Example:

Here’s an example of how DITA allows for content variants and conditional processing for localization:


<topic id="network_security" audience="global">
  <title>Network Security Best Practices</title>
  <body>
    <section audience="us">
      <p>For users in the United States...</p>
    </section>
    <section audience="france">
      <p>For users in France...</p>
    </section>
    <section audience="japan">
      <p>For users in Japan...</p>
    </section>
  </body>

In this example, a DITA topic about network security has content sections with conditional attributes for specific global audiences, allowing for efficient localization based on the user’s location.